12 Best HDToday Alternatives — Similar Free Sites in 2024

HDToday was once the go-to site for free movies, but it has become unreliable. Like other illegal sites, it's often taken down for copyright infringement and blocked by ISPs in many countries. The new mirror sites emerging aren't safe either and are full of ads and pop-ups.

Fortunately, there are several free and legal HDToday alternatives that offer extensive libraries of movies and TV shows. These platforms are reliable, so you won't have to worry about unexpected shutdowns or the video freezing during crucial scenes. They offer content in crisp HD or even ultra-high definition, providing an excellent viewing experience. Plus, I'll share some useful tips to help you stream with fewer ads for an even smoother watch.

The Best HDToday Alternatives in 2024

1. Plex TV — The Overall Best HDToday Alternative With Live and On-Demand Content

You can organize and stream your own media, turning Plex into a personalized media server

Plex TV provides you with access to a wide range of free, legally licensed, on-demand content available in many countries globally. The platform boasts over 20,000 movie titles and more than 300 live TV channels, greatly expanding your streaming choices. Plus, you can upload and stream media that you have the right to share, such as personal videos, photos, and music.

The platform is compatible with a variety of devices and offers downloadable apps for Android, Apple, and smart TV platforms. So it’s possible to enjoy your favorite content on the go. While Plex TV does show ads to keep its service free, unfortunately, even a premium subscription won't remove them. You could try using ad-blocking browsers like Brave to cut down on interruptions but keep in mind that it might not block all ad types on Plex.

2. Amazon Freevee — Best HDToday Alternative With Exclusive Content

You can watch Freevee for free with your normal Amazon account

Freevee is a great spot if you're hunting for unique movies and series to binge-watch for free. It boasts a strong selection of exclusive Amazon Originals not available on other platforms, and you don't need an Amazon Prime subscription — just an Amazon account. Plus, with its FAST (free ad-supported streaming) channels, you can enjoy TV without paying for cable.

The user-friendly interface of Freevee makes it easy to navigate and discover new content, and there's a handy app available for streaming devices like smartphones, smart TVs, and consoles. However, Freevee is mainly available in the US, the UK, Germany, and Austria, which might be disappointing for viewers elsewhere.

3. BBC iPlayer — A HDToday Alternative With Lots of British Content

BBC iPlayer offers ample British movies and shows

BBC iPlayer is a free alternative to HDToday, packed with on-demand and live-streaming channels. You can enjoy everything from real-time events to popular British shows like Doctor Who and Sherlock, along with exclusive BBC series, all in stunning high definition.

While streaming is easy via browsers on PCs (Windows and Mac), dedicated apps are available too. The iPlayer app enhances your viewing experience by letting you pause and rewind live streams. You can also download shows to watch offline on your mobile and tablet. It offers personalized video recommendations and remembers where you left off so you can resume watching seamlessly.

4. Tubi TV — A HDToday Alternative with a Large Collection of Highly-Rated Movies

You can watch movies on Tubi TV without registering for an account

Tubi TV boasts an impressive collection of over 50,000 free titles, including a selection of movies that are highly rated on Rotten Tomatoes, making it a fantastic choice for movie lovers. You can enjoy everything from Hollywood blockbusters to indie films and classic TV shows, all without a subscription fee.

Owned by Fox, Tubi features content from industry giants like MGM, Warner Bros., and Paramount. It frequently updates its library, ensuring fresh content across categories like recommended, leaving soon, recently added, new releases, and more. The platform also sports a user-friendly interface, making navigation a breeze. However, note that the video resolution tops out at 720p, which might be a drawback if you're after HD or UHD quality.

5. Pluto TV — A HDToday Alternative With a Vast Selection of Live Channels and TV Shows

All content on Pluto TV is absolutely free

PlutoTV, a streaming service by Viacom, offers a unique viewing experience with over 250 live channels and on-demand content for free. This platform includes dedicated streams for binge-watching popular series and features content from Paramount Studios as well as channels from other major networks like Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and MTV.

You don't need to register with your personal details to start watching; however, it provides benefits such as marking favorite channels and resuming playback where you left off. A standout feature of PlutoTV is its TV channel guide, which enhances the traditional TV experience on digital platforms. Despite minimal ads, with no pop-ups or banners, the timing of commercials can sometimes disrupt the viewing experience.

6. Popcornflix — A Straightforward Interface Ideal for Hassle-Free Streaming

Popcornflix makes it easy to find new stuff to watch

Popcornflix stands out with its straightforward, no-sign-up-needed approach, making it perfect for easy, hassle-free streaming. Its simple interface lets you dive right into a diverse lineup of genres like action, thrillers, and romantic comedies without any delays. This means you can start enjoying your favorite movies and shows immediately, with no account creation required.

Beyond ease of use, Popcornflix also spices up its offerings with unique original content, adding an exclusive touch to its broad selection of entertainment. Whether you're in the mood for a classic film or a fresh original, Popcornflix provides a seamless and enjoyable streaming experience, all for free.

7. Crackle — The Best HDToday Alternative for US Content

You can find popular TV shows to watch for free on Crackle

Crackle is a US-based free streaming service offering a mix of classic shows and films alongside its own original programming, including famous titles like Just Shoot Me! and NewsRadio. You can instantly watch a wide selection of movies without an account. Additionally, Crackle features films and shows from major studios like MGM, Lions Gate, and Sony Pictures, adding a variety of popular and quality content to its library.

Crackle’s unique "Always On" mode offers a continuous stream of content as soon as you launch the app, enhancing the traditional TV experience. While the available content is decent, Crackle doesn't offer many live TV channels, and the video quality can be low, especially when compared to the high-definition ads that play during content.

8. Crunchyroll — A HDToday Alternative with Free Anime

Crunchyroll has one of the largest anime libraries with options to watch for free

Crunchyroll is renowned for its extensive free anime catalog, with over 1,300 titles. Its library ranges from classics to new releases, with a unique simulcast feature for streaming popular episodes just an hour after their broadcast in Japan. This is particularly attractive as it caters to the immediacy desired by anime fans eager to watch episodes concurrently with their release in Japan.

Crunchyroll is available in multiple countries globally, but some content may not show in certain locations (due to licensing agreements). US viewers have access to the largest content library so far. All the free content comes with ads, but you can go premium to unlock the ad-free experience.

9. Vudu — A Big Choice of Free UHD Movies

Vudu offers a large selection of high-quality HD movies and TV shows for free

Vudu offers high-quality HD movies for free (although 4K streaming is only supported for paid content). It has a collection of over 11,000 movies and TV episodes available for free streaming but supported by advertisements. The platform keeps shuffling the content available for free, so you can expect to find exciting new titles at any time.

Vudu is also children-friendly, with a Kids Mode to help you sort content appropriate for different ages. Plus, you can use the filters to find popular content or see movie descriptions and ratings before watching. However, an account is needed for free streaming (you can opt not to provide your credit card or billing information).

10. YouTube Movies — A Convenient HDToday Alternative for Free Licensed Content

Click the section Free with ads on the YouTube Movies page to access the free content

YouTube Movies features a wide range of genres like action, comedy, animation, drama, and thrillers, making it easy to find something for everyone. You can watch them for free, rent, or buy the latest releases, beloved classics, and everything in between, all accessible with just a few clicks. Just be ready for ads when watching free movies. It also offers closed captions, enhancing accessibility for all viewers.

The platform's WatchLater feature lets you save movies to a dedicated playlist, allowing you to access them anytime you're ready to watch. This handy tool keeps your must-see films organized and at your fingertips, ensuring you never miss a moment of your favorite entertainment.

11. The Roku Channel — The Best HDToday Alternative for Classic Movies

The Roku Channel aggregates content from popular on-demand sites and TV networks

The Roku Channel has a dedicated section for free classic cinema content. Also, many add-on channels (like FilmRise Classic TV and Classic Movies and TV) are available, expanding the content library for classic movie enthusiasts. You can stream content via any web browser or with a dedicated Roku Channel app for supported devices — no Roku hardware is needed.

The user-friendly interface allows easy access to a diverse range of content, including modern movies, live channels, and Roku Originals — all without a subscription. However, you can't set or change the video streaming quality on the Roku Channel, and all content comes with ads.

12. Peacock TV — The Best HDToday Alternative Without Credit Card Registration

Peacock TV's free streaming option is a great alternative to HDToday, offering high-quality content without requiring credit card registration. You can enjoy a wide range of movies, TV shows, news, and sports from NBCUniversal’s library in HD. The platform is user-friendly and works on multiple devices, making it a convenient choice for those looking to cut the cord without compromising on content quality.

It's possible to watch Ted on Peacock TV for free

While the free version includes ads, they are shorter and less intrusive than traditional TV commercials. For more content and features, premium plans are available, but the free version still offers a robust selection for budget-conscious viewers seeking diverse entertainment options.

Quick Comparison Table: Best HDToday Alternatives

To help you compare and select the best HDToday alternatives, I summarized platforms and their unique features in the table below. All these are legal sites where you can stream free content without buffering.

How to Choose the Best HDToday Alternative Sites

When selecting alternative free content and streaming platforms like HDToday, these are some of the key factors to look for.

• Legality. Opt for services that host licensed content to avoid the risks associated with pirated streams, which can lead to legal issues.
• Content variety. Choose a platform that provides not just movies but also TV shows, documentaries, and exclusive series across various genres to keep your viewing experience diverse and engaging.
• Uptime availability. Prioritize streaming services that are up and operational all the time, meaning you can access content anytime. The image and sound quality should also be good, with minimal buffering.
• Ad intrusiveness. Since many free streaming sites use ads to monetize their content, consider platforms with fewer ads to avoid excessive interruptions.
• Safety. Only go watch from sites with ample security features to avoid common cyber threats like privacy intrusion, fishy links, and malware.
• User experience and compatibility. It should have a user-friendly interface for easy navigation on streaming devices like smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.

FAQs on HDToday Alternatives

Is HDToday safe and legal?

HDToday streams content without proper licensing (so it’s illegal) and has been shut down a few times. There are mirror sites frequently coming up to take its place, but they also pose serious security and legal risks. Instead, you can stream safely and legally on HDToday alternatives. They offer a wide variety of free content, and even though most of them are ad-supported, these ads are way less intrusive than on HDToday.

Why is HDToday not working?

HDToday may not work due to server issues or because it’s taken down. It may also be blocked by your local ISP because it’s associated with illegal activities. You can try a legal and reliable HDToday alternative like Plex TV, which offers a wide variety of free content and is available worldwide.

Which HDToday alternatives should I avoid?

Unlicensed free movie sites aren’t recommended. Aside from posing legal challenges, they often lack security measures, exposing you to various cyber threats like malware, viruses, and hacks. They also often contain broken links and have low-quality videos. Legality and safety are essential things to consider when choosing HDToday alternatives. Some of the popular free streaming sites that illegally host copyrighted content are:

• FMovies
• 123Movies
• Putlocker
• MoviesJoy
• Vumoo
• YesMovies
• Soap2day
• AZ Movies
• SolarMovie

Why should I use a VPN on HDToday alternative sites?

Using a VPN helps to enhance privacy and security on free streaming sites. It encrypts your internet connection, hiding your online activities from ISPs and third parties that may collect your private data. VPNs with built-in ad blockers can also smoothen your streaming experience by blocking some ads and annoying pop-ups.

Can I download movies on HDToday TV?

HDToday TV offers the option to download movies for offline viewing. However, there is a high risk of illegally accessing copyrighted content. It's safer to stream free movies on a legal HDToday alternative site without infringing on copyrights. Unsanctioned free streaming sites may also contain malicious links, exposing you to multiple online threats.

Wrapping Up

Finding the best HDToday alternative can be a challenge, given the number of free movie sites currently available on the internet. Some of them don’t adhere to copyright laws, so you can easily end up on illegal and unsafe sites. But if you prioritize peace of mind while streaming online, you can access a variety of content for free from legal HDToday alternative sites.